Chief Pilot — Part 135 (Commutable) | San Antonio, TX

Pilot Assessments; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilot Assessments is seeking a Chief Pilot to lead all flight operations and act as PIC. You will drive standardization, training excellence, regulatory compliance, and a Just Culture across the flight department, partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Safety and Leadership.

In this Texas-based role, you will oversee training programs, supervise line checks, ensure FAA Part 119 compliance, and prepare for inspections.

Qualifications

• Meets all FAA Chief Pilot qualifications per 14 CFR Part 119.
• ATP certificate and current FAA First-Class Medical.
• Citation XLS or CE-525 type rating with operational experience.
• Qualified to act as PIC on at least one company aircraft.
• 7,500+ total flight hours; Aspen mountain airport flying experience.
• Strong knowledge of GOM, training manuals, SOPs and FAA parts 91/119/135; SMS and operational-control concepts.
• Proven leadership with strong communication, organization, problem-solving and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct all flight operations and personnel.
• Regularly perform line-pilot duties and serve as PIC.
• Exercise operational-control authority and manage flight-safety functions.
• Administer training and maintain training records.
• Monitor proficiency and conduct line checks and standardization evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with FAA-approved training programs and Parts 91, 119, 135.
• Promote SMS, Just Culture, investigations and safety boards.
• Develop SOPs and checklists; standardize practices and communicate changes.
• Prepare for FAA inspections and audits; drive corrective actions.
• Coordinate with vendors/trainers to optimize quality and schedule.
• Lead pilot hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, discipline, retention and mentoring.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Training management

Line-pilot duties

Operational oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in aviation or related field

CFI/CFII/MEI valuable

Tools

Jet Insight platform

IS-BAO

Wyvern Wingman

SMS implementation

Job description

About the Role

The Chief Pilot leads all facets of company flight operations while serving as an active line pilot and PIC. You will ensure pilot standardization, training excellence, operational control, and regulatory compliance, partnering closely with Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Training, and Executive Leadership. You will champion SMS, support FAA inspections and audits, and drive a culture of safety, professionalism, and Just Culture across the flight department.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, organize, staff, supervise, and direct all flight operations and personnel.
• Regularly perform line-pilot duties and serve as PIC on scheduled and charter flights.
• Exercise authorized limited operational-control authority and manage functions affecting flight safety.
• Administer initial, recurrent, upgrade, differences, and special-emphasis training; maintain qualification and training records.
• Monitor pilot proficiency and currency; conduct/oversee line checks, standardization evaluations, and operational observations.
• Ensure compliance with FAA-approved training programs and all applicable Parts 91, 119, and 135 requirements.
• Promote and support the Safety Management System: reporting and Just Culture, risk investigations, mitigations, safety boards/committees, and trend analysis.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and checklists; standardize practices across aircraft and crews; communicate regulatory and procedural changes.
• Prepare for and support FAA inspections and third-party audits; complete corrective actions and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with vendors and training providers to optimize quality, value, and schedule performance.
• Lead pilot hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, discipline, retention, mentoring, welfare, and succession planning.

What You'll Bring

• Meets all FAA Chief Pilot qualifications per 14 CFR Part 119.
• FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate; current FAA First-Class Medical.
• Citation XLS (CE-560XL) or CE-525 type rating with operational experience.
• Qualified under the company's approved training program to act as PIC on at least one company aircraft.
• 7,500+ total flight hours; Aspen (ASE) mountain airport flying experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the GOM, training manuals, SOPs, and FAA Parts 91, 119, and 135; strong grasp of SMS and operational-control principles.
• Proven leadership with excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and sound decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior FAA-approved Chief Pilot experience.
• Experience with WYVERN Wingman, IS-BAO, and SMS implementation.
• Background conducting pilot evaluations, line checks, and standardization programs.
• Bachelor's degree in aviation, business, management, or related field.
• CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates.
• Jet Insight platform experience.

Qualified Texas-based candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for commutability.